Eats Beat: Wine tours in Berks County
EATS BEAT * There's a good reason to head out of town this weekend - the Berks County Wine Trail's anniversary celebration, this year with a "Grape to Plate" theme. Eight wineries will participate noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It's mostly free, too. Details at berkscountywinetrail.com.
* There's a good reason to head out of town this weekend - the Berks County Wine Trail's anniversary celebration, this year with a "Grape to Plate" theme. Eight wineries will participate noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It's mostly free, too. Details at berkscountywinetrail.com.
* Take the pain out of waiting for the train as The Porch at 30th Street Station and Bridgewater's Pub host a Beer Garden, 3-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. With swingin' sounds by Evan Cory Levin & Co., 6 to 8 p.m.
* It's first-birthday time for Rex 1516 (1516 South St., 267-319-1366, rex1516.com), and along with a new spring menu, executive chef Justin Swain will offer a crawfish boil for $25 Thursday through Saturday. Plus live jazz on the patio with the Eric Wortham Trio.
* Chef Al Paris of Heirloom (8705 Germantown Ave., 215-242-2700, heirloomdining.com) has tapped The Farm & The Fisherman's Joshua Lawler for a collaborative dinner starring local spring goodies like ramps, fiddleheads, wild asparagus, rhubarb and English peas (they may be English, but they grow here, too). The five-course feast will be served on Wednesday, with seatings at 5:30, 6, 8:30 and 9 p.m. $75, plus tax and tip. Call for reservations.
* If you read our story about cupcake decorating today and are itching to show off your baking and decorating skills, the Philabundance hunger-relief organization will hold the third annual Cupcake Smash at the Piazza at Schmidts in Northern Liberties from 2 to 5 p.m. April 27. Professional and amateur bakers' submissions should be inspired by Tommy Up's menu at the Piazza burger joint PYT (1050 N. Hancock St., 215-964-9009, pytphilly.com). Tix are $25 ($30 at the door) at Philabundance.org.
* Reserve your spots for the Mother's Day Mural Arts Tour and Lunch, May 11. (Technically the day before Mother's Day, but why not start celebrating early?) See the murals from 10 to noon, then head to a three-course lunch at Positano Coast at 212 Walnut St. in Old City. $65 a person. Details at 215-685-0750 or muralarts.org.